South Bank Travel Guide

A riverside arts promenade with galleries, theatres, markets and great Thames views.

• Best for: Culture, riverside walks and family days out
• Vibe: Buzzy, tourist-friendly but with local pockets
• Nearest station: Waterloo (Jubilee, Bakerloo, Northern, Waterloo & City)
• Price level: Mostly mid-range ($$); some budget and a few high-end options
• To the main sights: Easy walk along the river to Big Ben, St Paul’s and Tower Bridge
• Safety: Generally safe by day; stay aware of busy tourist crowds at night

Great for:

• First-time London visitors who want riverside sights
• Families (big open spaces and child-friendly attractions)
• Culture lovers (galleries, theatres and concerts)

Maybe skip it if:

• You want a quiet residential neighbourhood
• You dislike tourist crowds and busy riverside promenades

The South Bank stretches along Belvedere Road between Westminster and London Bridge; main hubs are Waterloo station, Waterloo Bridge, Gabriel’s Wharf and the stretch past the Tate Modern to the Globe.

• Book shows in advance: Evening theatre at the National or Globe fills quickly, reserve tickets early.
• Use Waterloo station: Waterloo is the most convenient rail/tube hub for getting around.
• Watch peak times: Riverside gets very busy midday and early evening; plan extra time for walking.
• Try the markets: Southbank Centre Food Market and Borough Market are ideal for quick, varied meals.

• London Eye: The giant riverside observation wheel gives slow panoramic views across central London and is right by the Jubilee Gardens.
• Tate Modern: Contemporary art in a converted power station with free displays, major temporary exhibitions and a viewing level.
• Southbank Centre: A complex of concert halls, festival spaces and outdoor food stalls along the river, often hosting weekend events.
• Shakespeare’s Globe: Recreated open-air theatre staging Shakespeare and period plays; guided tours run during the day.

• Heathrow Airport (LHR): Public transport: Piccadilly line to Green Park, change to Jubilee to Waterloo, c. 50-60 minutes, Oyster/contactless fare roughly £5-£7. Taxi/ride-hail: 40-70 minutes depending on traffic, roughly £50-£80.
• Gatwick Airport (LGW): Public transport: Thameslink or Gatwick Express into central London (Thameslink services run to London Bridge/Blackfriars), then short walk to the South Bank, c. 45-60 minutes, fare roughly £10-£15. Taxi/ride-hail: 50-75 minutes, roughly £70-£100.
• Stansted Airport (STN): Public transport: Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, then tube or River services into the South Bank area, total c. 70-90 minutes, fare roughly £15-£25. Taxi/ride-hail: 60-90 minutes, roughly £90-£140.
• Luton Airport (LTN): Public transport: Shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway then Thameslink into central London with changes to Waterloo area, c. 50-70 minutes, fare roughly £10-£18. Taxi/ride-hail: 45-70 minutes, roughly £70-£120.
• London City Airport (LCY): Public transport: DLR to Canning Town then Jubilee line to Southwark/Waterloo, c. 35-50 minutes, fare roughly £4-£6. Taxi/ride-hail: 25-40 minutes, roughly £35-£60.
• From the main sights: From Westminster/Big Ben it’s a 10-15 minute walk across Westminster Bridge; from Trafalgar Square expect 15-25 minutes along the river promenade.

• Tube: Waterloo is the main hub (Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo, Waterloo & City); Southwark (Jubilee) and Blackfriars (Circle/District/Thameslink) are useful.
• On foot: The area is extremely walkable, most attractions are along the river within 20 minutes of each other.
• River services: River boats and piers (Waterloo, Bankside/Blackfriars) offer an alternative to tubes for east-west travel.
• Buses and taxis: Plenty of bus routes run along the river; taxis are common around Waterloo but watch evening traffic.

South Bank has many mid-range hotels clustered around Waterloo and Bankside, plus a handful of higher-end and budget hostels. Expect easy access to theatres and the riverside, key streets include Belvedere Road, Stamford Street and Lower Marsh. Most places are mid-priced ($$), with budget hostels for backpackers and a few boutique luxury options.

Luxury

• Hilton London Bankside: Large waterfront hotel with contemporary rooms and good links to Tate Modern and Southbank; price level $$$.
• Bankside Hotel Autograph Collection: Boutique, design-led hotel close to the Tate and Globe with a stylish bar; price level $$$$.
• Sea Containers House: Riverside hotel with a strong food-and-drink reputation and easy river access; price level $$$.
• Shangri-La Hotel: High-rise luxury near London Bridge and The Shard with skyline views; price level $$$$.

Mid-range

• Novotel London Blackfriars: Reliable mid-range hotel a short walk from the Southbank Centre and Waterloo; price level $$.
• Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo: Practical chain hotel right by Waterloo station, handy for trains and the river; price level $$.
• citizenM hotel London Bankside: Modern, compact rooms with tech-forward design near Tate Modern; price level $$.
• Park Plaza London Waterloo: Family-friendly hotel with larger rooms near the river and Southbank venues; price level $$.

Budget

• Walrus Hostel: Simple, central hostel a short walk from the river and Waterloo station; price level $.
• Xenia (Chapter 1, Christian Alliance): Basic budget rooms/hostel accommodation convenient for Waterloo; price level $.
• Travelodge London Central Waterloo: Budget chain hotel steps from Waterloo, reliable and no-frills; price level $.
• Stow-Away: Small budget option within easy walking distance of theatres and river paths; price level $.

Eating on the South Bank ranges from market street food to casual restaurants and cafés clustered around Belvedere Road, Gabriel’s Wharf and Lower Marsh. Expect mostly mid-range prices ($$), with cheaper market stalls and a few higher-end options. Best times are lunchtime for markets and early evening after shows.

• TAS: Turkish and Mediterranean small plates; price level $$. Very close to the riverside.
• Franco Manca: Sourdough pizza chain offering casual pizzas; price level $.
• Wahaca: Modern Mexican plates in a relaxed setting; price level $$.
• Kokura: Japanese restaurant close to the river; price level $$. Good for quick meals.
• Bar + Block: Steak-house and breakfast spot right by the promenade; price level $$.
• Rosa’s Thai Cafe: Casual Thai plates convenient for a quick, tasty meal; price level $$.
• Boulebar South Bank: Casual spot serving burgers and casual dishes with a social atmosphere; price level $$.
• Caravan: All-day café and restaurant with international small plates and coffee; price level $$.

South Bank nightlife is a mix of riverside pubs, cosy locals and a rooftop bar; activity peaks after theatre performances and on warm summer evenings. Expect pub prices and mid-range cocktails ($-$$), with late-night venues nearer Waterloo and London Bridge.

• Circe’s Rooftop: Rooftop bar with river views, popular in summer evenings.
• The Anchor & Hope: Traditional pub a stone’s throw from the river with hearty food and drinks.
• The Windmill: Lively local pub known for post-show crowds and pub grub.
• The Walrus: Friendly pub close to the Southbank Centre with a buzzing atmosphere.
• The Founders Arms: Riverside pub with views and an after-work crowd.
• Vaulty Towers: Small bar with an intimate feel and eclectic drinks list.

Shopping along the South Bank is mainly food markets and independent stalls rather than big malls. Head to Lower Marsh for quirky shops, Borough Market for specialist food stalls and the Southbank Centre Food Market for street food and small vendors. Expect browsing and artisan goods more than high-street retail.

• Borough Market: Historic food market with specialist stalls and produce, great for tasting and gifts.
• Lower Marsh Market: Independent stalls, vintage finds and small cafés on a pedestrian street near Waterloo.
• Southbank Centre Food Market: Weekend street-food market beside the Southbank Centre serving international snacks.
• Jubilee Market (Borough Market): Market near Borough offering a mix of crafts and food stalls.
• Marks & Spencer: Big-name department store useful for groceries and travel essentials.